News

Planes 'need child-free zones' - survey

Almost 70 per cent of travellers think planes should have child-free zones, according to a survey.

The poll by LateDeals.co.uk found 35 per cent of air passengers would be prepared to pay extra to travel on a no-children flight.

As well as being annoyed by children on flights, travellers were also pretty sniffy about sitting close to people with bad body odour.

Overall, 69 per cent of those surveyed said planes should have child-free zones, with 30 per cent saying such areas should be installed on long-haul and short-haul flights.

Of those prepared to pay to get away from children, those on long-haul flights would be happy to fork out around £63 extra for a return ticket on a child-free flight, while on short-haul trips passengers would be prepared to pay around £28 more.

Not enough refreshments and airlines running out of food options appeared to be the least of passengers' worries.

LateDeals.co.uk general manager Kay Dixon said: "If you run into a screaming baby, or a noisy, hyperactive toddler and its exasperated parents on a train, you could just move carriages. The same doesn't apply on a flight.

"While most people are sympathetic towards parents with young children, many people simply don't want to sit next to them."

Do you think planes should have child-free zones?

Comments (4)

Most people who wish to holiday in the U.K. without running into children often book their holidays outside of School holidays. Surely similar should apply to those who wish to travel abroad. If you don't want children on your flight book your holiday out of school holiday season, you will also save money as such periods are usually cheaper.

Most people who wish to holiday in the U.K. without running into children often book their holidays outside of School holidays. Surely similar should apply to those who wish to travel abroad. If you don't want children on your flight book your holiday out of school holiday season, you will also save money as such periods are usually cheaper.throwy1

Some airlines - such as British Airways and Qantas - have a policy that bans single male passengers from sitting next to children. When certain people protested, the 'excuse' rolled out by the airlines was that their policy is to ensure children's safety as protection against potential paedophiles (according to BA and Qantas ALL men are potential paedos!)

However, this is pretty sexist in more ways than one, as they don't care if a single female passenger is left next to a child. I suppose the notoriously gender normative culture within the airlines presumes that it's a woman's duty to look after other people's kids even when she is supposed to be on holiday - or on a business trip with tons of work to do prior to a meeting!

Some airlines - such as British Airways and Qantas - have a policy that bans single male passengers from sitting next to children. When certain people protested, the 'excuse' rolled out by the airlines was that their policy is to ensure children's safety as protection against potential paedophiles (according to BA and Qantas ALL men are potential paedos!)
However, this is pretty sexist in more ways than one, as they don't care if a single female passenger is left next to a child. I suppose the notoriously gender normative culture within the airlines presumes that it's a woman's duty to look after other people's kids even when she is supposed to be on holiday - or on a business trip with tons of work to do prior to a meeting!Katie Re-Registered

I took up this very point with Thompson after having spent 3 hours in the middle of uncontrolled screaming kids - only to be told by their Head Office it "wasn't their policy". Result - no more bookings with Thomson from me.

I took up this very point with Thompson after having spent 3 hours in the middle of uncontrolled screaming kids - only to be told by their Head Office it "wasn't their policy". Result - no more bookings with Thomson from me.Woodgnome

throwy1 wrote:
Most people who wish to holiday in the U.K. without running into children often book their holidays outside of School holidays. Surely similar should apply to those who wish to travel abroad. If you don't want children on your flight book your holiday out of school holiday season, you will also save money as such periods are usually cheaper.

Not true any more -what about kids under school age? You obviously haven't flown outside of school holidays recently.

[quote][p][bold]throwy1[/bold] wrote:
Most people who wish to holiday in the U.K. without running into children often book their holidays outside of School holidays. Surely similar should apply to those who wish to travel abroad. If you don't want children on your flight book your holiday out of school holiday season, you will also save money as such periods are usually cheaper.[/p][/quote]Not true any more -what about kids under school age? You obviously haven't flown outside of school holidays recently.Woodgnome